White House: Obama Will "Mention" NY Marriage Battle, But Won't Take A Position

Despite strong pressure for the president to endorse marriage equality at tonight's Manhattan fundraiser with LGBT community leaders, the White House says that isn't going to happen.

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said on Thursday that President Obama plans to “mention” during an LGBT fundraiser later in the evening a pending marriage equality bill in the New York Legislature, but won’t come out either for or against the legislation. Carney said the president will maintain the marriage issue should be something left to the states to decide. Many political observers believe New York is on the cusp of legalizing same-sex marriage and the necessary 32 votes are secured in the Republican-controlled State Senate to move forward with the legislation.

The president will begin the evening by attending a performance of the Broadway hit, Sister Act.